Special hunting permits available

Hunters have a chance to win one of nine special hunting permits if they report this year’s hunting activities for black bear, deer, elk, or turkey to the Department of Fish and Wildlife by Friday.

Those who meet the deadline will be included in a drawing for five deer permits and four elk permits in various areas of the state. The special permits include two elk permits for Western Washington, two for Eastern Washington, and five statewide deer permits. Those permits will be valid from Sept. 1 through Dec. 31, 2014.

To qualify, hunters must submit a report for each black bear, deer, elk, or turkey tag they purchased and for each special hunting permit they received in 2013.

All hunters, successful or not, are required to submit hunting reports by Jan. 31. Failure to meet the deadline can result in a $10 fine, payable before a hunter can purchase a 2014 license.

Dave Ware, WDFW game manager, said the annual hunting reports are an important source of information for managing the resource and developing future hunting seasons.

“The drawing for special permits is designed to give hunters an extra incentive to file their reports early,” said Dave Ware, WDFW game manager. “If everyone waits until the last minute, it creates problems with reporting.”